Salyersville murder case goes to court

SALYERSVILLE, Ky. (WYMT) - New details came out in court Monday in the case of a Salyersville man accused of killing another man the day before his wedding.

Officials say Daniel Hackworth took the life of Donnie Allen just one day before he was going to say 'I do,' but Hackworth's defense says that is simply not true.

"Rumors run rampant. It seems like the smaller the community the faster people hear about things," said Myles Holbrook, Assistant Public Advocate.

Last week investigators said they were called to Allen's house in Salyersville where he was found dead in the yard, and they say Hackworth was still in the home with a gun.

On Monday defense attorneys said there was not enough evidence to prove Hackworth actually committed the crime.

The defense says there are several reasons why Hackworth should be considered innocent, including more possible persons of interest. They say there are several people who may have motives to hurt Allen, and two of those people could be Allen's fiancee's ex-husband and ex-boyfriend.

"They broke it off but he was, from the results of my investigation, wanting to continue his relationship with her," said an investigator for the defense.

While investigators think the right man is behind bars they say they are keeping an open mind for other possibilities and are still investigating.

"Tragedies of the magnitude really affect small communities. I would warn that people don't rush to judgment," said Holbrook.

Hackworth is being held in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center without bond. Prosecutors are deciding whether they will seek an indictment against him.

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